Audi increases rate of production at it's Münchsmünster Production facility, Germany.

• More than one million components related to the chassis and 30,000 aluminum structural elements produced in 2015.
• Hubert Waltl, Head of Production: "Münchsmünster is key to Audi's growth strategy."
• Audi is a driving force for Bavaria .

The new Audi production facility in Münchsmünster is located about 30 kilometers east of the main factory in Ingolstadt. Hot stamping and cold frame components of high technology and light aluminum structural elements, among others, parts are produced here for the new Audi Q7. 

By 2017, a total of 900 employees will be working in the factory, sending everyone 26 million pieces annually.The complex high-tech Audi Neuburg Münchsmünster production unit, and future innovation campus (INCampus) make the Audi factory in Ingolstadt a major driving force for growth in Bavaria.

"The components are manufactured in Münchsmünster help us improve our system of lightweight construction," explains Hubert Waltl, Head of Audi production. The elements of hot stamped steel and aluminum castings to determine a lower weight while retaining the same strength and precision. "This is an essential contribution to reducing weight in the new Audi Q7, which is up 325 more kilograms lighter than its predecessor. The production facility in Münchsmünster is synonymous with ultra-modern, cutting-edge technology," says Waltl.

Currently, more than 500 employees work for Audi in Münchsmünster, in two or three shifts. Since the end of 2015, all areas of manufacturing components produce in three shifts a day. Peter Mosch, Chairman of the Works Council of Audi, expanding Münchsmünster seen as a test of responsibility to the region of Ingolstadt."This is the point of origin principle 'At the forefront of the art' and where we need to continue to concentrate the experience of the brand with the four rings," said Mosch, stressing that the correct structure is as important as the expansion itself.

In late 2013, Audi began operations in what were originally 31 hectares Industrial Park Münchsmünster for the production of structural elements of the frame made of cast aluminum, hot stamping parts and cold andother frame components. Investments in facilities achieved a triple digit figure in millions of euros. And now it is when production is reaching a higher rate.

In the ultramodern machinery aluminum smelting unit, production is growing rapidly. More than 30,000 structural components have already been made in 2015, including the connecting element between the side rails and suspension anchors of the new Audi Q7 and damper brackets in the new generation of the Audi A4.The total volume should reach approximately 200,000 units at year end.

In the nave of presses, Audi is currently installing a fully automated laser system. To this end, the company has implemented new technologies for stamping hot methods. The "laser area" will be fully operational in autumn. In total, this installation Audi produces 40 different stampings, such as side sills and the transmission tunnel of the new Audi A4.

So far this year, Audi has produced 1.38 million standard elements in the installation of frame components.At year end, this figure should reach 4.6 million parts, including wheel hubs, bearings, brake discs and portabujes primarily for Audi A4, A5, A6, A7, A8, Q5 and Q7. The technological area in which Audi develops all his experience are machining operations. The premium manufacturer is building a second line for wheel hubs, which in the future will be capable of producing one hundred percent of these elements in the factory Münchmüster.

The advantages of the installation of 48.2 hectares in Münchsmünster include its proximity to the main factory and good transport links through the federal highway B16 and B16a. A railway connection to the main railway line Ingolstadt-Regensburg is planned for 2017.

Audi has a commitment to environmental protection and sustainability: for example, the company recovers energy and heat in all areas of manufacturing and advanced techniques used in the system of air purification systems, wastewater treatment and isolation acoustic. Since 1997, the EMAS scheme Eco-management and testing of the European Union has been the benchmark for environmental facilities Ingolstadt.Münchsmünster production was fully validated for the first time, according to the EMAS criteria in 2015.

Translated by Google - Apologies for any errors caused.

BMW celebrates two awards, one for the ever green 5-Series and one for the hybrid sports i8 supercar.

The BMW 5 Series clinched victory in the readers' vote “BEST CARS 2015” of the trade magazine “auto motor und sport” in the upper midrange segment and confirmed its achievements of the previous year. 

Five times in succession since 2011, the 5 Series was voted best business car by the readers. In addition, the “International Paul Pietsch Award” honouring particularly innovative technological developments again went to BMW. This year the prize was bestowed on the BMW i8, following the success of the BMW i3 last year. The award ceremony was held in Stuttgart.

The BMW 5 Series has been the most popular car for business purposes for many years. 

Having received 23.9 percent of all votes, the BMW 5 Series achieved first place in the readers' vote for “BEST CARS 2015” in the upper midrange segment held by “auto motor und sport”. The readers of the trade magazine have confirmed the worldwide success of the BMW 5 Series. With 373,053 units sold in 2014, the BMW 5 Series was worldwide the most successful model of its class – following its success as the most popular business car in the world in 2013. 

A comprehensive portfolio of efficient and dynamic engines, hallmark BMW driving dynamics, xDrive intelligent four-wheel drive, innovative mobility services and exclusive BMW ConnectedDrive applications as well as three different body variants all helped to make the BMW 5 Series a bestseller.

The BMW i8 receives the “International Paul Pietsch Award” due to its status as an “all-new sports car”. 

Once again, the “International Paul Pietsch Award” went to BMW. The BMW i8 was honoured for the most innovative technological concept, thereby following in the footsteps of the BMW i3, the winner of the previous year. 

The jury consisted of 28 chief editors of international trade magazines from 21 nations. With 50 percent of the overall votes, the BMW i8 emerged as the clear winner. The reasons were as follows: “The plug-in hybrid BMW, which was launched in the middle of 2014, embodies the accomplished vision of a modern and sustainable sports car for decades to come. Moreover, this model with its spectacular scissor doors and bold emotional lines opens up new paths in terms of design and aerodynamics. 

The BMW i8 is effectively driven by a downsized three-cylinder turbo petrol engine in conjunction with a powerful electric drive featuring a lithium-ion battery pack. Thanks to its carbon-fibre reinforced plastic (CFRP) passenger cell, the architecture provides the best possible basis for lightweight design. As a sports car of a new generation, the BMW i8 brings together in an unusual and impressing way a multitude of state-of-the art technologies and perfectly combines fuel efficiency and dynamics”.

The “BEST CARS” readers' vote held annually by the trade magazine “auto motor und sport” is one of the most important automotive awards in Germany and highly coveted amongst manufacturers. It was the 39th time the best cars were picked in 2015. On this occasion, 386 models in eleven categories were nominated. In all, 112,471 readers cast their ballot by mail or online.